Our beginning

More than 160 years ago, Western Union helped create the first leg of what would become the transcontinental telegraph, connecting the US cities of Omaha and Salt Lake City.

With this new technology, the world suddenly changed. News no longer took months to travel from coast to coast. We were able to do something no one had ever been able to do before: communicate in real time while miles apart.

In 1871, we added the ability to transfer money using our wire transfer service. Once again, our technology allowed people to conveniently connect with loved ones and send help across the country and, later, the world.

More recently, in the year 2000 we launched westernunion.com and combined our expertise in money transfers with our global reach and the convenience of the web. Now, we help you send or receive money.

We are offering a variety of different options to transfer money around the world with one of the largest networks

You can collect money in over 500,000 agent locations worldwide**.

Transfer money globally across more than 200 countries and territories in more than 130 currencies

We completed 262 million consumer to consumer transfers globally in 2015.

How it works:

Choose how you’ll send.

Enter your information.

Enter receiver's information.

Get notified.

From the very beginning, Western Union has focused on convenience and connection. No other company has more than a century of keeping loved ones in touch and transferring money reliably. We are moving money for better.

Get an overview on all our money transfer products

Different needs warrant different services. We have a variety of products for you to choose from, based on your unique needs and requirements. You can send to your loved ones or friends for cash pick-up in more than 200 countries and territories – or you can transfer money directly to a bank account*.

*** In some countries local regulation requires that receivers also pay fees.

**** Western Union also makes money from currency exchange. When choosing a money transmitter, carefully compare both transfer fees and exchange rates. Fees and foreign exchange rates may vary by brand, channel, and location based on a number of factors. Fees and rates subject to change without notice.